Welcome to another edition of WGLB presents. This will not be a diary which focuses on current events. Rather, this will be composed on my anecdotes which lead to a broad statement about the future of equality.
And I want to let you know that, perhaps, the future has already arrived in some places.
I write optimistically about how educating the youth will set us free.
Before we get started, there is something you should know about me: I am still in high school. Around my school--in nearly every classroom--there are signs which say "Ally" on them. Being an Ally means standing up to prejudice and fighting bullies. It is especially aimed at protecting LGBTIQ students.
According to the State, schools are a no discrimination zone. Any bullying or harassment regarding race, religion, sex, orientation, anything is not tolerated. Maybe it's just my school--or what I perceive--but there really isn't much bullying against the LGBTIQ people. Perhaps there is, but it is hidden and taken care of if found out about. This is because, at least in my experience, kids really don't care about sexual orientation.
I see and experience more discrimination on the basis of grades than I see on the basis of someone being gay. Of course there will be people who are afraid of people not like them. And if they happen to be young bigots, then there's no avoiding them. But they are not representative of the people I know.
Even the kids I know with horribly intolerant parents don't hold a prejudiced position. Heck, even all of my Republican friends are not prejudiced against LGBT people.
Now, this may just be anecdotal experience, but I think there is a reason to believe the vast majority of my generation will not fight against equal rights.
That reason is education.
Washington State law requires a comprehensive health education in 7th and 10th grade with HIV/AIDS prevention learning from 5th until 12th grade. I just finished the 10th grade class so I will talk about that.
Our textbooks handled sexual orientation in a non-judgmental manner and very nicely. There wasn't a unit on LGB people, however, in the context of having healthy relationships, all forms of relationships were recognized. It wasn't teaching tolerance, it was practicing assimilation.
One of the most memorable days of class was when we had a panel from Youth Eastside Services of young people identifying as GLBTIQ. They spoke about their experiences coming out, who they came out to, and about their lives.
This is important because visibility is important to the movement. I know for a fact that many people in that room don't know anyone who is openly GLBT. After the panel, they were able to put a face to the struggle for equality.
On the darker side of our studying we were learning about dating violence. There were many situations we read about. Things like how to say "no" when you don't want to do something. There were four situations--three heterosexual ones and one with two female names in the relationship.
By including this in the curriculum, the State is making the implicit claim that relationships are relationships notwithstanding the gender's of the people involved.
And when the State of Washington makes that claim, equality is taught. Of course, not every State has such a progressive educational system.
In North Carolina, abstinence only education is the norm. I'm willing to bet that equality isn't taught in their schools. In fact, adolescents have to turn to text messages for any sex education.
I'm sure my education is not normal, but maybe there is hope in the rest of the Nation. You've probably read this article already, but it is worth repeating. It is about Middle School kids in Oklahoma coming out to their parents and friends, going to dances, and they're not discriminated against.
Kids just don't care.
And if kids don't care if their friend is GLBTIQ, why would they vote against providing their friend equality? Of course they would vote for our civil liberties!
And when I start voting in 2011, when my generation reaches full maturity, civil rights will progress. I guarantee it.
But civil rights won't go forward without us pushing for it now. That's why GLBT and Friends has decided to start an Actblue page. Please vote on the candidates we should support in the poll.
This weeks diary ontributed by danmitch.
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Have you signed our petition to encourage FIFA to honor Eudy Simelane and all of the South African women who have suffered "corrective rape" at the hands of homophobic thugs? The 2010 FIFA World Cup is being held in South Africa and Eudy was raped and murdered in part for her love of the game of soccer/football and in part for her living an open life as a lesbian.
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Each week between now and the end of March we will add a poll to the end of each diary for you to select your favorite GLBT candidate or ally running for office. The five winners will be added to our ActBlue fundraising page. The leaders each week will be removed from further polling and guaranteed a spot on our page. If you have preferred candidates not seen on the lists, suggest them in the discussion below and we'll add them at a future date. Not only will we consider GLBT friendly candidates but also folks running to replace established homophobes. Thanks.